ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

GNS 121

LECTURER: MRS OSUNLAJA

The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs. It creates hormones and is
responsible for fertility, menstruation and sexual activity.

The female reproductive anatomy includes both external and internal parts.

External parts

The function of your external genitals are to protect the internal parts from infection and allow sperm
to enter your vagina.

Your vulva is the collective name for all your external genitals. A lot of people mistakenly use the
term “vagina” to describe all female reproductive parts. However, your vagina is its own structure
located inside your body.

The main parts of your vulva or external genitals are:

Labia majora: Your labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other external reproductive
organs. During puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat
and oil-secreting glands.

Labia minora: Your labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just
inside your labia majora, and surround the opening to your vagina (the canal that joins the lower part
of your uterus to the outside of your body) and urethra (the tube that carries pee from your bladder to
the outside of your body). This skin is very delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.

clitoris : is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very sensitive to stimulation.

Vaginal opening: Your vaginal opening allows menstrual blood and babies to exit your body.
Tampons, fingers, sex toys or penises can go inside your vagina through your vaginal opening.

Opening to your urethra: The opening to your urethra is the hole you pee from.

Hymen: Your hymen is a piece of tissue covering or surrounding part of your vaginal opening. It’s
formed during development and present during birth.

Internal parts

Vagina: Your vagina is a muscular canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside
of the body. It can widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to hold
something narrow like a tampon. It’s lined with mucous membranes that help keep it moist.

Cervix: Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus. A hole in the middle allows sperm to enter and
menstrual blood to exit. Your cervix opens (dilates) to allow a baby to come out during a vaginal
childbirth. Your cervix is what prevents things like tampons from getting lost inside your body.
Uterus: Your uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that holds a fetus during pregnancy. Your uterus is
divided into two parts: the cervix and the corpus. Your corpus is the larger part of your uterus that
expands during pregnancy.

Ovaries: Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of your uterus. Your
ovaries produce eggs and hormones.

Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of your uterus and serve as
pathways for your egg (ovum) to travel from your ovaries to your uterus. Fertilization of an egg by
sperm normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it
implants into your uterine lining.: Your two labia minora meet at your clitoris, a small, sensitive
protrusion that’s comparable to a penis in men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

FUNCTIONS OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

Vagina-Transports uterine secretions to outside the body, receives the erect penis during intercourse;
the fully developed fetus passes through the vagina during normal delivery

Labia majora-Protect and enclose the external reproductive organs

Labia minora-Protect the openings of the vagina and urethra

Clitoris-Gives pleasurable sensations during sexual stimulation

Vestibule-Contains the vaginal and urethral openings

Vestibular glands-Moisten and lubricate the vestibule with a secretion.

Ovaries-Female reproductive organs that produce oocytes and sex hormones

Uterine tubes-Transport secondary oocytes in the direction of the uterus; fertilization occurs here, with
the developing embryo conveyed to the uterus

Uterus-Muscular organ of the female reproductive tract, in which implantation, placenta formation,
and fetal development occur.

- involved in menstruation

Fallopian tubes-carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus

(oviducts)

•-usually the site of fertilization

DIAGRAM OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGAN

uterus (womb)

- pear-shaped organ in which the embryo and fetus develop

-involved in menstruation

cervix-separates the vagina from the uterus

- holds the fetus in place during pregnancy

-dilates during birth to allow the fetus to leave the uterus.

Bathilin glands- They are located on either side of the vagina and secretes fluids that lubricate the
vagina.
 BREAST

Many people consider breasts “accessory organs” to the female reproductive system, as they are
responsible for supplying milk to an infant after childbirth.

The major external components of the breasts include the:

Nipple. The nipple is the rounded area where milk drains to feed a baby. They have many nerve
endings that can make them an area of sexual stimulation. Nipples do not always protrude. Some
females have flat or inverted nipplesTrusted Source.

Areola. The areola is the pigmented area that surrounds the nipple. It is circular and varies in size
from person to person. It contains small glands, called Montgomery glands, that secrete lubrication to
keep the nipple from drying out, especially when nursing.

Breast tissue. The breast is the area of skin on the chest that is composed of fat, muscle, and ligament
tissue, as well as an intricate network of blood vessels and glands. These areas are specialized for
breastfeeding. Breast tissue size varies greatly from person to person, often due to a combination of
individual genetics and body mass.

Internally, the breasts are primarily composed of fat. The amount of fat can determine breast size.
However, breast size has no bearing on the amount of milk someone is able to produce.

The internal anatomy of the breasts include the:

Alveoli. These are milk secreting cells grouped into clusters inside the breasts.

Lactiferous ducts. These are special channels that open on the nipple’s surface. Breast milk exits
through these ducts to nourish a baby.

Lobules. These are collections of alveoli in the breast that secrete milk. The lobules drain into
lactiferous ducts, then into lactiferous sinuses that promote milk flow from the nipple.

Mammary glands. These are responsible for producing milk.

DIAGRAM OF FEMALE BREAST